In front of over 120 invited guests, Mike Howes was made an Honorary Citizen of Chipping Norton by Mayor Mike Tysoe at a ceremony at the Town Hall last week.

Mike Howes, now 76, is a long-standing resident of the town and has always been a staunch supporter of the community. He is known for his energy and good natured zeal, and many at his ceremony talked of his canny ability to get people on board with his various visionary projects.

He has also been a treasurer for many other organisations, including the RNLI, Round Table, Probus, Lawrence Home Nursing Team, Friends of St Mary’s and the Royal British Legion.

This legacy of service to the community was acknowledged in a note from the Prime Minister David Cameron, relayed by district councillor Hilary Biles.

In an emotional speech towards the end of the proceedings, Mike paid tribute to the support of his wife Terri, saying that without her, he could not have achieved so much. Terri received a bouquet of flowers – and a standing ovation! – in recognition of her contribution.

Mike’s family, including his grandchildren, attended the Town Hall ceremony, where one of the speakers, former Lawrence Home Nursing Team chair Ronald Speirs, summed up Chippy’s newest Honorary Citizen, by saying, “Whatever Mike does, he does it for the good of others.”